The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-25
sAcAoAHoc COUNTY 5. J. COURT

BEFORE JUDGE HASKELL.
BATH, April %.
George II. Lancaster. The respondents, were
Indicted at this term for robbing one Charles w
burlington upon the highway between Bath and
West Bath, on the evening Of January list, last.
furlngton, VINO Is engaged in the peddling of
meats, testified that on the day Of the robbery he
had been TO Bath in the usual course OF his bust
ness, and had returned home in the afternoon;
that he again came to the city for some medicine
for sick brother and to do some other errands,
ana was proceeding homeward at about dusk
when he passed these three respondents with one
feionla Oliver standing beside the road with
morse and sled; that he spoke to them and drove
on; that they soon afterward overlook him In the
hollow at the foot OF ILime Rock Hill, drove by
and wheeled the horse and sled arond across the
road, completely blocking it, and that all four
then boarded his pung Croker upon the right
side and Bolton upon the left in front of him. and
Oliver upon the left and Lancaster upon the right
behind him; and all laid hold of him and held him
nrmy; that Croker then asked him to lend him
zen cents and another for the loan of a quarter;
ihat ne told Them he had no money, and refused,
but they replied that they knew he had as he had
been peddling beef in the city that day. that they
neld nm closer and crowded harder and harder
and wanted him to drink from a bottle which they
produced, that he refused and they told him they
wanted some money; that fearing to resist longer
ne surrendered what change he had, which they
Took and divided among them and left, warning
him 20 let them hear nothing from him. He drove
anaa ana e b 1snd hat ms pocket book con
oyerc0at pocket, was missing. He Immediately.
returned TO the city with a neighbor, made a COM
eHe pOiNO5 anu NIOOkeT, BultOu ana
Lancaster we're apprehended. Oliver fed and has
not since been found.
The defence strongly denied the story of Purinp-
ton. Crooker testified that after passing Puring-
ton upon the road, the team was stopped and he
returned and asked him TO lend him ten cents
which he did cheerfully; and Bolton testified that
ne went back also and asked for the loan of a
quarter; that Purington told him he would LET
him have 1t If he had it, and gave him Is cents.
which was all the change he had that he then
told him he was only in fun and did not want the
money and returned it, and that both he and
CROKER went back TO the sled and drove on.
Lancaster testified that he and Oliver left the
morse and sled and started away toward Bath
before CROKER and Bolton went back for the
money, and that they knew nothing whatever
by Croker and Bolton. All the respondents de-
MED emphatically that they entered Purington's
pung, or laid hands upon him In any manner, and
denied all knowledge Of the pocket book and
contents.
A large amount OF testimony was offered to i'm
peach the credibility of Purington, and to show
that he had given different accounts of the affair
and that for several DAYS about that time he
drank frequently and freely. with the prisoners
ana was more or less intoxicated upon the day OF
the alleged robbery, and In rebutt;1l the govern
ment offered testimony and court records to i'm
peach the character and testimony of Croker
The jury retired shortly after O'Clock this after
noon ana IN twenty minutes returned a verdict of
not guilty, and the prisoners were discharged
Frank }. Buker, County Attorney.
Washington Gilbert for defendants.
BATH, April %.
Court came in this morning, and after disposing
finally